Cincy Reporter

Keyona Gardner, Specialist in Guest Services, discussed her thoughts on what Black resistance means to her.

"Black resistance means activism, freedom, love, family and hope," said Gardner. "Black people in America have resisted oppression in systemic, institutional, interpersonal and intrapersonal forms for centuries."

Gardner noted that Resistance for Black Americans started in the 1800s, as they were mistreated and forced into chattel slavery. A major mechanism of resistance was marching to combat racial injustice with the goal of reaching equal rights for Black Americans. Black resistance movements began during the era of slavery through the Underground Railroad and persisted through and after the Civil War.

"When the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln, it prompted an even larger resistance movement eventually leading to the Civil Rights era," explained Gardner, "including the 1960s when individuals radically armed themselves, ultimately resorting to violence."

Gardner also discussed how Black Americans have institutionalized resistance by building strong supportive communities such as Black churches, periodicals, historically Black colleges and universities, the Congressional Black Caucus and many other groups and organizations, all founded to ensure the future success of African Americans which had not been previously granted due to the oppressive societal standards that existed in that era.

"These organizations and actions that were taken are what turned the world the way it is today," said Gardner. "So Black resistance means a lot to me, because if it wasn’t for our ancestors, and these coalitions that were formed, we would not be able to co-exist in the world today. Black resistance plays a major role in my life and the lives of African Americans across the country today."

To learn more about Black resistance and its importance in America's history, visit the NAACP, CORE, SCLC, and SNCC websites.